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Available online at http://arjournal.org
APPLIED RESEARCH JOURNAL
RESEARCH ARTICLE
ISSN: 2423-4796
Applied Research Journal
Vol.1, Issue, 3, pp.164-168, May, 2015
CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN SOILS UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE SYSTEMS AND ITS
IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
*
Caleb Melenya, Mensah Bonsu, Vincent Logah, Charles Quansah, Thomas Adjei-Gyapong, Israel
Boateng Yeboah, Henry Oppong Tuffour and Awudu Abubakari
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, KNUST, Ghana.
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article History:
The study was carried out to assess soil organic carbon storage (SOC) under
different land use systems within the same locality and interpret the results
with reference to CO2 emissions and soil degradation processes. The soils
were taken from a depth of 0-20 from a cocoa plantation (cocoa under deep
litter, cocoa under shallow litter and cocoa under weed), oil palm plantation,
uprooted oil palm plantation and an arable land under cultivation (cassava +
plantain). The SOC stored (Mg ha-1) was determined by multiplying the
fraction of the percent SOC (divided by hundred) to the bulk density and the
volume of the soil. The CO2 equivalent was determined by multiplying SOC
stored by a factor, 3.67 (Molar ratio of 44/12). The land use systems that
sequestered more organic carbon and less CO2 emission was ranked as:
uprooted oil palm plantation followed by maize> oil palm plantation> cocoa
under deep litter> cocoa under shallow litter> arable land> cocoa under
weed. The CO2 emission ranged between 17.4 to 65.9 % depending on the
type of land use. The study showed that, the magnitude of carbon
sequestration is more under oil palm plantation than cocoa plantation. The
CO 2 emission was significantly greater under cocoa plantation than oil palm
plantation and even more where the cocoa plantation was not well managed
(i.e. under shallow litter fall and weeds). It was observed that plantation
agriculture increases the SOC storage than arable agriculture. The study
indicated that, the conversion of land into different uses resulted in variable
magnitudes of the carbon sequestered. Appropriate land management
practices that reduce carbon emissions are therefore required to reduce
global warming.
Received: 12, April, 2015
Final Accepted: 13, May, 2015
Published Online: 15, May, 2015
Key words:
CO2
emission,
global
warming,
land
management, soil degradation, soil organic
carbon.
© Copy Right, ARJ, 2015, Academic Journals. All rights reserved
1. INTRODUCTION
Carbon sequestration by terrestrial ecosystem is the net removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas from the
atmosphere or the avoidance of its emissions from terrestrial ecosystems into the atmosphere [1]. The
removal process include: CO2 uptake from the atmosphere by green plants through photosynthesis and the
carbon stored as plant biomass (in the trunks, branches, leaves and roots of the plants) and organic matter in
the soil [1]. Soil carbon sequestration involves adding the maximum possible organic carbon to the soil [2].
The carbon dioxide gas is a major cause of the atmospheric greenhouse effect and hence can influence
the global climate. However, many other gases such as methane (CH4), water vapour (H2O), ozone (O3) and
nitrous oxide (N2O) influence the global climate. Carbon sequestration studies have gained momentum in the
recent decade and the amount of carbon stored in a system is a good measure of its sustainability. The
*Corresponding author: Caleb Melenya, Email:, [email protected]
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, KNUST, Ghana.
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Caleb Melenya et. al.
current importance on this subject is due to the fact that carbon lost from these systems contributes
significantly to atmospheric change, particularly CO2 concentration. The process of soil carbon sequestration
forms part of the global carbon balance.
Most of the factors affecting carbon sequestration are affected by land management practices. The
distortion in the global carbon balance through human activities is due to the burning of fossil fuel and
cement production (67%) and agriculture and land use change (33%) [3]. Actions to sequester carbon in the
soils will generally increase the organic matter content of soils. Soil organic carbon, as reported by Bationo
et al.[4], is simultaneously a source and sinks for nutrients and plays a vital role in soil fertility maintenance.
Thus management practices that increase organic carbon could concurrently increase the fertility status of the
soil.
Cocoa plantation, oil palm plantation and arable land cultivation represent an important component of
the agricultural sector of Ghana. But the conversion of natural vegetation to these farming systems has the
potential of altering their carbon storage capacity. Such a conversion increase the rate of change of SOC to
CO2, thereby reducing the input of biomass carbon and accentuating losses by erosion [2, 5 -7]
The hypothesis of the study was that, land use systems sequester SOC and emits CO2 differently. The
focus of the study was to assess soil organic carbon storage under different land use systems within the same
locality and interpret the results with reference to CO2 emissions and soil degradation processes. Also, to use
the changes in the soil carbon storage as a guide to future land management for agriculture.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Experimental site and soil sampling
The study was carried out in 2010 at the Plantation Section of the Faculty of Agriculture, KNUST,
Ghana. The soil belongs to the Asuansi series [8], classified as Orthi-Ferric Acrisol [9]. Geographically, the
experimental site is located between latitudes 6o 40’ North and longitude 10 33’ West. Three bulk soil
samples were taken from the 0-20 cm depth from a cocoa plantation (under deep litter, shallow litter and
weed), an uprooted oil palm plantation followed by maize, an oil palm plantation and an arable land under
cultivation of cassava and plantain.
2.2 Experimental design and statistical analysis
The experiment was arranged in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) and the Genstat 9th edition
statistical software was used in analysing the data. Soil organic carbon stored under each land use system
was replicated 3 times.
2.3. Physical and chemical analysis of soil
The soils sampled were air-dried and then passed through a 2 mm sieve. The soil particles that passed
through the 2 mm sieve were used for the physical and chemical analysis. The particle size distribution of the
soil was determined using the hydrometer method [10] after digesting the organic matter with hydrogen
peroxide and dispersing the soil in sodium hexametaphosphate (calgon).
Soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined by the modified Walkley and Black dichromate digestion
method as described by Nelson and Sommers [11].
The pH of the samples was determined in water using a soil: water ratio of 1:2.5 by a standard pH meter
in the laboratory. The soil bulk density was determined using the metal core sampler method [12].
2.4. Calculation of the organic carbon sequestered (stored)
The SOC stored was calculated using the Donovan [13] formula.
= Where:
CT is the total carbon stored per area in Mg ha-1,
CF is the fraction SOC (percentage carbon divided by hundred),
D is the soil bulk density and
V is the volume of the soil in cubic meters (which is =Depthofsoilxareaofsoil)
(1)
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2.5. Conversion of soil organic carbon to CO2
The final results were multiplied by a factor of 3.67 (i.e. the molecular mass of CO2/ atomic mass of C)
to convert the total carbon stored to carbon dioxide.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1. Physico-chemical properties of the soils
The soil pH and textural class of the soils are presented in Table 1. The texture of the soils ranged from
sand to loamy sand. Landon’s [14] guidelines were used to interpret the results. The pH of the soils were
moderately acidic indicating acid conditions in the soils. The soil bulk density was highest in the uprooted oil
palm plantation and lowest in the cocoa plantations. The soil bulk densities was within the range for
maximum crop production for sand and loamy soils.
Table 1 The texture and pH of the soil under the different land use systems
pH
Bulk density
Sand
Silt
Clay
kg m-3
(%)
(%)
(%)
Uprooted oil palm fallowed by
maize
5.21
1659
79.10
10.43
10.47
Cocoa under deep litter
5.44
1605
88.20
7.90
3.90
Samples
Oil palm plantation
Arable land (plantain +
cassava)
Cocoa under weed
Cocoa under shallow litter
Texture
Class
Loamy Sand
Sand
5.30
5.32
1557
1557
84.97
89.93
7.40
4.83
7.80
5.23
Loamy sand
Sand
5.44
5.44
1499
1557
92.20
84.30
1.90
5.90
5.90
9.80
Sand
Loamy Sand
3.2. Soil carbon storage and emissions under different land use systems
The carbon stored in the soils and its equivalent CO2 are presented in Table 2. The soil under the
uprooted oil palm plantation stored the highest (p < 0.01) organic carbon and the lowest was recorded in the
cocoa under weed although no significant difference was recorded between the cocoa under shallow litter,
cocoa under weed and the arable land. The equivalent CO2 gas stored followed the same trend. The soil
organic carbon content is an important component of any land use system as it indicates the productivity
level of the system. A soil with high organic carbon content is perceived to be of high quality [15]. Any land
use practice that reduces soil quality could lead to a reduction in the SOC pool and an increase of CO2
emission into the atmosphere. The decline in soil quality of the other land use systems in comparison to the
uprooted oil palm plantation followed by maize could as reported lead to loss in the ability of the soils to
retain water which could lead to low plant productivity. This concords with the findings of Magdoff and
Weil [16] who reported that, reduction in soil quality could reduce the productivity of plants. The most
sustainable and less degradable land use system in terms of the carbon sequestered in the study was ranked
as: uprooted oil palm plantation > oil palm plantation > cocoa under deep litter > cocoa under shallow litter >
arable land > cocoa under weed.
Higher carbon sequestered in the cocoa plantation under deep litter than cocoa under shallow litter and
under weed could be attributed to the low organic inputs to the soil under the latter systems. Also, weed
infestation tended to constrain carbon sequestration in the soil. In cocoa plantation where litter fall was thick,
soil carbon sequestration was high. This is due to continuous decomposition of the accumulated litter under
the system. The thick litter also reduced the amount of CO2 gas emitted into the atmosphere. The implication
is that, crop residue application as surface mulch could play an important role in the maintenance of soil
organic carbon levels and productivity. According to Roose and Bathes [17] surface mulching increases
recycling of nutrients and minerals, fertilizer use efficiency, improves soil chemical and physical properties
and, decreases soil erosion.
In spite of the higher carbon sequestered under cocoa plantation with deep litter than shallow litter and
weeds, the amount sequestered was less than that under the uprooted oil palm followed by maize and oil
palm plantation. The lower decomposition rate of the cocoa litter than the in situ accumulated oil palm
fibrous roots may account for this observation.
Continuous cultivation of the arable land led to a decrease in the amount of organic carbon stored in the
soil as compared to the uprooted oil palm plantation, oil palm plantation and cocoa under deep litter. In
agricultural systems, because the economic parts of the plants are harvested, only a small percentage of the
Caleb Melenya et. al.
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production becomes available for incorporation into soil to enhance the organic carbon pool. All the
aboveground production may be harvested, leaving only the root biomass [3]. The low SOC recorded under
the arable land could be attributed to the little organic inputs from its component crops (cassava and
plantain).
Samples
Table 2 Soil organic carbon and its equivalent CO2 sequestered under different land uses
Organic carbon Mg ha-1
CO2 Mg ha-1
Uprooted oil palm followed by maize
40.2
147.4
Oil palm plantation
Cocoa under deep litter
Cocoa under shallow litter
Arable land (plantain + cassava)
Cocoa under weed
CV (%)
Lsd (p< 0.05)
33.2
26.3
17.5
16.2
13.7
13.4
6.0
121.7
96.6
64.1
59.5
50.4
13.4
21.9
Using the uprooted oil palm plantation followed by maize (the land use system emitting the least CO2) as
the basal value for comparison, the percentage increment in CO2 emission by the other land use systems
ranged from 17.6 to 66.0 % of the carbon sequestered (Table 3). These values corresponded to a ranged
between 7.0 and 26.5 Mg ha-1. Although the general perception is that cocoa plantation sequesters substantial
amounts of soil carbon and thereby mitigate climate change [18], the study showed that the magnitude of
sequestration is even more under the oil palm plantation. It is further shown that CO2 emission is
significantly greater under cocoa than oil palm and even more when the cocoa plantation is not well managed
(i.e. under shallow litter and under weeds). On this score, the potential of oil palm farmers to benefit from
carbon credits needs to be carefully examined.
Soil under the arable land recorded higher emissions than the oil palm plantation and the cocoa
plantation under deep litter. Land use change and soil degradation processes as well as rapid decomposition
of organic matter in cultivated soils were the major cause for the release of CO2 from the system as the land
use systems that added more residues recorded less emission of CO2. The conversion of natural vegetation to
other uses therefore reduces the carbon pools and increase CO2 emissions.
Reducing such emissions, including other greenhouse gases is a necessary strategy for controlling global
warming. Increased CO2 emissions contributes to global warming. Lal [2] posited that if 8 % of the carbon
being photosynthesized by the biosphere is retained within the soil and biotic pools, the global carbon budget
could be balanced. The following management practices could be adopted to enhance carbon sequestration in
soils of arable lands.
No-till farming coupled with residue mulch and cover cropping
Incorporation of crop residue into the soil rather than burning
Integrated nutrient management (INM) which balances nutrient application with judicious use of
organic manure and mineral fertilizers
Inclusion of rotations and intercropping in the management system
Table 3 Emissions of CO2 using the uprooted oil palm plantation as the standard
Samples from different land use
CO2 Emissions (Mg ha-1)
CO2 Emissions (%)
Uprooted oil palm followed by maize
147.4*
Oil palm plantation
7.0
17.4
Cocoa under deep litter
13.9
34.6
Cocoa under shallow litter
22.7
56.5
Arable land (plantain + cassava)
24.0
59.7
Cocoa under weed
26.5
65.9
147.4* = The amount of CO2 sequestered under uprooted oil palm followed by maize and was use as the basal value for comparison
between the land use systems
4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study showed that the conversion of land into different land use systems results in variable
magnitudes of carbon sequestered. The land use systems that sequestered more carbon and less CO2 emission
was ranked as: uprooted oil palm plantation followed by maize> oil palm plantation> cocoa under deep
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Vol.1, Issue, 3, pp.164-168, May, 2015
litter> cocoa under shallow litter> arable land> cocoa under weed. The CO2 emission ranged between 17.4 to
65.9 % depending on the type of land use. The study also showed that, the magnitude of carbon sequestration
is more under oil palm plantation than cocoa plantation. The CO2 emission was significantly greater under
cocoa plantation than oil palm plantation and even more where the cocoa plantation was not well managed
(i.e. under shallow litter fall and weeds). The land use systems that added more residues recorded less
emission of CO2. Finally, it was observed that plantation agriculture increases the SOC content than arable
agriculture.
Agriculture practices can lead to increased global warming if proper land management systems are not
instituted. Global warming can worsen the climate change effect as a result of increased heterotrophic
respiration and further decomposition of soil organic matter. To use cocoa to offset climate change, short
duration cultivars that produce a lot of litter throughout the dry season are recommended. Appropriate land
management practices that reduce CO2 emissions are also recommended to reduce global warming.
The hypothesis of the study as stated in section 1.1 was accepted based on the findings.
5. REFERENCES
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